Marrakech Marathon & Half 2025
If you have questions regarding Marathon Tours & Travel’s Marrakech Packages please: EMAIL OUR TRIP DESIGNER or CALL 617-242-7845
If you are looking for a marathon or half-marathon with the authentic Moroccan culture, sights and sounds then the Marrakech race events are for you! Marrakech has much to offer with its marketplaces, its superb Moroccan trees with olive trees, date palms and orange trees. Winters in Morocco are mild so you will find the ideal weather conditions for your race.
We offer a four-night package with a guaranteed entry at our lovely five star hotel located only 10 minutes’ walk from the race start/finish, shopping and the city sights. Our itinerary includes guided sightseeing, local cuisine and a traditional folklore show (charging horsemen, acrobats, fire-eating, belly dancing), pre-race dinner and post-race celebrations.
Marathon Tours & Travel provides the support and guidance so you can be assured of a stress-free trip. There are opportunities and inclusions to make the most of your visit and meet fellow runners to share the experience!
(2025 Package Details and Pricing TBC)
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts and 2 evening meals.
Guide
Support and guidance from our team during your trip
Transfers
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Trip Extension
Trip extensions available to the desert or extend your stay in Marrakech
Accommodation
Perefectly located 5* hotel in Marrakech
Entry
Guaranteed Marrakech Marathon or Half Marathon entry available (in addition to package price)
Celebration Party
Post-race celebration
Excursions
A varied choice of tours available (optional). Half day sightseeing tour included
A Helping Hand
Race pack delivery to your hotel
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday, January 23
Upon arriving at the Marrakech Menara Airport a private transfer will be waiting for you to the Kenzi Rose Garden hotel, where you will be greeted by your Marathon Tours & Travel host. Enjoy free time on your own this afternoon and relax with some mint tea and Moroccan pastries. We will gather this evening for a shake-out run to meet your fellow runners and explore the surrounding area.
Friday, January 24
After breakfast, the day will start with a half day sightseeing tour of the city. Learn the history of Morocco’s “Red City.” We will visit the Bahia Palace, Saadien Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque and explore the souks of Marrakech’s old medina. Returning to the hotel around midday. The rest of the afternoon is yours. Then in the evening join us for a Moroccan style fantasia show and dinner. Starting with a welcome ceremony, a delicious dinner of several courses, finishing with the grand finale. Charging horsemen, acrobats, fire-eating, belly dancers all contribute to the atmosphere of this unforgettable evening. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Saturday, January 25
Today is free to explore Marrakech at your leisure. You can take advantage of a relaxing day at the hotel with its many amenities or the Marathon Tours & Travel team is happy to suggest some sightseeing options, such as a half-day Menara Secret Gardens Tour including a camel ride (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM). Tonight, we will gather for a grand pre-race dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast and dinner included)
Note: If you booked your race entry with us, we will collect your race pack (includes t-shirt & race bib) and hand it to you at the hotel today. If you obtained your own race entry you will be required to make your own way to the Expo to collect your race pack.
Sunday, January 26
Race Day! Breakfast will be available before you depart for the start, which is a short 10-minute walk from our hotel. Upon finishing, celebrate your achievement, perhaps relax in the hotel gardens or catch some winter sun by the swimming pool! End the evening with a celebratory drink with your Marathon Tours & Travel team in the hotel bar. (Breakfast included)
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Extensions
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Post-Race Extension to Merzouga Desert | Two-Night Package: January 27-29, 2025
Experience the Moroccan Sahara Desert on a three-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Spend the night at a Bedouin camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Ride a camel to watch the sunset and sunrise. See the Kasbah of Ouarzazate, and much more.
Monday, January 27 – Todra Gorge via Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
Following breakfast and check-out, we leave Marrakech to Todra Gorge via Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which is a popular route for those seeking to experience the beauty and history of Morocco’s desert landscapes. The drive takes you through the High Atlas Mountains, passing through small Berber villages and stunning scenery along the way. One of the highlights of the trip is a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortress town that has been used as a backdrop for many Hollywood films. The kasbah is a fascinating example of traditional Moroccan architecture and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Continuing on from Kasbah Ait Benhaddou to arrive at the Todra Gorge. This spectacular natural wonder features towering canyon walls that rise up to 300 meters in places, providing a breathtaking backdrop for hiking, climbing, and sightseeing. Tonight your accommodations are in a Kasbah in Tinghir. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)Tuesday, January 28 – Tinghir to Merzouga Desert Camp
The journey from Tinghir to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes is a breathtaking adventure through the Moroccan Sahara Desert. The drive takes you through spectacular landscapes, including barren mountains, verdant palm groves, and vast expanses of golden sand dunes. Along the way, you’ll pass through charming Berber villages and experience the warm hospitality of the local people. As you approach Merzouga, the landscape becomes increasingly surreal, with towering sand dunes rising up from the desert floor. Upon arriving in Merzouga, you can take a camel trek into the heart of the Erg Chebbi dunes to witness the stunning sunset over the Sahara. The experience is truly unforgettable, with the warm hues of the sky blending perfectly with the golden sands. Get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a campfire. Late at night, enjoy Berber music with the local hosts playing drums. Tonight your accommodations are in a private standard desert tent. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)Wednesday, January 29 – Merzouga to Marrakech via Ouarzazate
Following an early wake-up you will have the option to watch the sunrise before breakfast. The journey back to Marrakech takes you through the Ouarzazate region, known for its film studios and desert landscapes where we stop for lunch at a local restaurant. The tour will finish in Marrakech at approximately 8 PM. An additional night in Marrakech is recommended. (Breakfast included)
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Packages & Rates
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Marrakech Marathon Four-Night Package | January 23 – 27, 2025
Features:
- Five-star accommodation in Marrakech for four (4) nights
- Daily breakfast, except on arrival day
- Hotel taxes
- Return airport transfers
- Welcome meet up (Thursday)
- Optional shake-out run (Thursday)
- Race pack delivery to hotel (if you book your entry with us)
- Half-day Marrakech Tour (Friday)
- Moroccan Extravaganza with dinner and traditional folklore show (Friday)
- Pre-race dinner (Saturday)
- Post race celebration (Sunday)
- Services of Marathon Tours & Travel Staff
Post-Race Extension – Merzouga Desert Tour | Two-Night Package: January 27-29, 2025
Features:
- One night in Kasbah
- One night in a berber desert private tent
- Full board (Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast)
- Local Guide
- Transportation in a comfortable A/C vehicle
- Guided tour of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Visit the Todra Gorge
- Kasbah Ait Benhaddou Visit
- Visit Erfoud
- Dunes Surf
- Camel trek to the desert camp
Not Included
- Race Entry Fees
- All activities listed as optional
- Gratuities and tips unless noted above
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance
- Roundtrip International Airfare
Rates (all prices per person and in US dollars) – 2025 Rates Coming Soon
Additional nights available upon request
Marrakech Four-Night Package Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Kenzi Rose Garden Superior Room $810 per person $1110 Kenzi Rose Garden Deluxe Room $860 per person $1200 Kenzi Rose Garden Jr. Suite $1105 per person $1675 Optional Rates Marathon Race Entry $90 per entry Half-Marathon Race Entry $65 per entry Two-Night Desert Extension $260 per person Half Day Tour to Menura Secret Gardens w/Camel Ride (January 25) $65 per person
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Hotels
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Our Package includes accommodations at the Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel perfectly located in the popular Hivernage District. The Marathon start is a 10-minute walk down the road. Decorated with style and comfort you will find many facilities to enjoy. Nestled in a lush palm tree garden this hotel includes sports/tennis court, swimming pools, spa with hamman and fitness center, multiple bars and lounges, 24/7 room service and concierge.
Room Descriptions:
Superior -Free high speed internet, air conditioning, in-room safe, flat satellite TV screen, bathroom with shower, direct telephone.Deluxe – Balcony, free high speed internet, climatization, in-room safe, flat satellite TV screen, bathroom with shower, direct telephone.
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Event Information
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Race Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Race Time: from 8.30am (42K), from 9.45am (21K)
Course: This is definitely a race to tick off your bucket list. The course is mostly flat and runs through local neighborhoods, by the famous city walls and along areas with stunning palm trees, orange trees and olive trees. Overall its mainly flat and fast. The early part of the marathon is a gradual incline, mostly flat then until the last 10km which are mainly downhill. It’s a great route for setting a PB or if you want to make the most of the mild weather, generous maximum finish time and interact with the musicians and locals along the route it ticks all the boxes. Although you cannot compare crowd support with a marathon majors you can feel the enthusiasm and you will be immersed in this very special atmosphere that will brighten up your race and pull you through to the finish line.
Eligibility: 17 years or older (42K), 15 years or older (21K)
Minimum Pace/Cut-off Time Policy: 5 hours 30 minutes (42K), 3 hours (21K)
Number Pickup: Marathon Tours & Travel will collect your race pack and deliver it to you at our hotel.
Temperature: Average temperatures on race day are between 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Awards: Every finisher receives a medal.
Difficulty: Easy
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Registration & Booking
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Rates: Land Prices may change due to currency fluctuations.
Reservations and Payments: A completed tour application together with a deposit of $400 per person must be received before confirming your reservations. Final payment must be received before December 1, 2024.
Cancellations: All payments, including your deposit, are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Non-transferrable includes applying your balance to another person, another year or another trip. Should you cancel for any reason, you will forfeit your trip investment. Therefore, travel insurance for every trip is highly recommended. All cancellations must be received in writing. Race entry fees are nonrefundable.
Not included in price: All items not specifically listed under tour features. All runners must enter online until online race registration is closed. Thereafter, Marathon Tours & Travel will provide a special late registration form.
Insurance: For your protection, trip cancellation, baggage, health and accident insurance is highly recommended for all participants. However, no representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance.
Travel Insurance for U.S. Residents
Travel Insurance for Canadian ResidentsSecurity Policy: Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and /or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited, and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
Responsibility: These tours are operated by Marathon Tours, Inc. of Chelsea, MA who acts only as an agent for the passenger to the companies offering such services and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any reason whatsoever by any party offering such services. All terms and conditions offered are governed by the laws of Massachusetts. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure with a refund, less applicable credit card and processing fees, made as full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved by Marathon Tours, Inc. to deny acceptance of a booking application by any person. Marathon Tours, Inc. may make any changes or alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary for the proper handling of the tour. The sole responsibility of any airline used is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that the passengers are not on board their aircraft.
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Testimonials
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2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half Trip
Many thanks for organising the event! One can add my experience for feedback!
I booked this trip as I wish to run another marathon in Africa as I had previously travelled with Marathon Tours and Travel (Cape Town Marathon!) I think it was a great weekend holiday as the flight was only around 3.30 hours from Heathrow and transport from airport and hotel was all sorted out! Arriving in Marrakech I felt totally stress free especially BIB already been delivered to the hotel! Breakfast and dinner were included! The hotel was well within walking distance from the start and finishing line. The marathon itself is a loop to loop marathon with a gradual incline in the early part of the race! One can run a decent time as when one goes up, it have to come down! The weather is also well suited for running! The last 10 km was mainly downhill! Although one cannot compare crowd support with a marathon majors but one can feel the enthusiasm especially from passing pedestrians and small pockets of support throughout the course. No surprise I had improved my finishing time when compare when I last ran in Africa! There is enough time for me to do some sightseeing after the race! I would recommend any runners interested in running a marathon in each continent to pick this package for their Africa leg! Also a big Thankyou to Marie the trip organiser who is always so helpful and organised throughout this trip!2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half TripThank you so much. What a lovely run! Thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very glad of the support offered by the company and it was lovely to walk over together in the morning.
2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half TripMarrakech was a beautiful experience and your services were really very good.
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Meet the Reps
Haley Sweet
Trip Designer
Haley Sweet
Trip Designer
Haley joined the Marathon Tours & Travel team after working multiple years in the Hospitality and Tourism Management industry. She lives every day with a great sense of adventure, passion, and curiosity – which travel brings to life. After living in England for a year and exploring as many countries as possible, a love of trip planning emerged. She now hopes to help as many people as possible experience the world. When she isn’t traveling she can be found running, photographing, designing and playing volleyball. Haley manages trips to Marrakech, New York (United Half), London, Cape Town, and Havana.
